Production Planner & Supply Chain Buyer

Overview The Production Planner and Supply Chain Buyer is responsible for scheduling and coordinating workflow across departments to ensure efficient operations and on‑time delivery. This role includes reviewing and converting sales orders into work orders, managing work orders throughout the production lifecycle, reviewing the site Plan for Every Part (PFEP), MRP requirements, and purchase order placement to ensure product availability. To succeed in this role, candidates should be professional, highly analytical, possess excellent attention to detail, strategic thinking capabilities, conduct data analysis, and have strong communication skills. Successful candidates will have in‑depth knowledge and experience with forecasting, material planning, sourcing strategy development and execution, negotiations, contracts, cost analysis, cost savings generation and tracking, and supplier relationship management. The Production Planner and Supply Chain Buyer will work closely with Operations, Sales, Customer Service, Finance, and Shipping/Receiving to support production schedules, optimize resources, and uphold Midland’s commitment to safety, quality, and delivery to achieve customer satisfaction. Primary Responsibilities / Essential Responsibilities Develop and manage the daily/weekly master production schedule across all manufacturing areas Create the production schedule based on due dates for customer orders; organize schedule according to work order specifications, established priorities, and availability of workers, parts, materials, machines, and equipment Assign delivery dates based on customer requirements, process time, available capacities, and raw material availability; update order status and delivery risk Determine production priorities using the production plan, customer forecast, and sales order requirements with ERP system‑driven planning reports Maintain scheduling discipline by ensuring production teams focus on the highest‑priority jobs; partner across departments to align priorities and ensure job readiness Expedite operations and adjust schedules to meet unforeseen conditions and troubleshoot material availability and delivery issues Plan and procure all material components required to complete the job Monitor material and goods inventory levels to meet production requirements based on daily forecasted production Communicate updates to stakeholders regarding schedule changes, constraints, and execution priorities Source and negotiate with world‑class suppliers to secure advantageous terms while maintaining supplier performance, contracts, and compliance Maintain supplier relationships using vendor scorecards and continuous improvement discussions Support or drive supplier quality performance; conduct sourcing quality audits, project management, and problem solving Generate purchase requisitions to satisfy customer orders and replenish stock while following corporate and department guidelines Prepare and submit timely status and progress reports and related data; complete status reports for production progress, work‑in‑process, and raw material inventory Drive continuous improvement and lean manufacturing efforts; work with the team to identify, develop, and implement efficiency improvements for the company Work as a key part of the team to align inventory plan with demand forecast and capacity constraints, improve inventory accuracy, WIP control, and schedule adherence metrics Participate in meetings to ensure the production plan and customer requests are fulfilled Other jobs as assigned Qualifications / Requirements Associate’s degree in a related field with a minimum of three (3) years relevant work experience in planning and/or buying in a manufacturing environment One year of experience using MRP/ERP systems (Oracle) highly desirable Desired Characteristics, Competence And Capabilities Ability to work with minimal supervision Strong analytical skills and attention to detail Demonstrated ability to analyze and drive data‑driven actions and improvements Excellent collaboration and negotiation skills Ability to communicate at different levels with both internal and external stakeholders Conceptual and problem‑solving skills with capability to sustain performance improvements Ability to work collaboratively and maintain effective working relationships with co‑workers Ability to facilitate activities necessary to a project’s completion Hands‑on work ethic with focus on results Experience in the rail‑car industry highly desirable Physical Demands And Environmental Conditions This position is performed in an office environment but will have regular exposure to the manufacturing and warehouse environment, including loud operating machinery, cold temperatures, chemicals, and vapors May require a combination of sitting, standing, and walking May require use of personal computer, copy machine, and other office equipment General office environment requiring extended periods of sitting in ambient indoor temperature, lighting, and noise level Must be able to sit, walk, stand, reach with hand and arms, stoop, kneel, bend, twist, grasp, and manipulate with hands and fingers as needed Lifting generally less than 5 lbs.; may occasionally be required to lift up to 25 lbs. without assistance Specific vision abilities required: close vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to focus naturally or with corrective eyewear Work Arrangement: Onsite Pay Range: $81,000.00 - $99,402.00 Benefits: 401(k) savings plan with employer contributions; medical, dental and vision insurance; wellness programs; health savings account; health care and dependent care flexible spending accounts; company‑paid short‑term and long‑term disability; company‑paid employee basic life and AD&D insurance; supplemental employee and dependent life insurance; optional accident, hospital indemnity and critical illness insurance; adoption, surrogacy and fertility benefits and assistance; commuter benefits; parental, military, jury duty, and bereavement leaves of absence; paid time off including 10 paid holidays per calendar year; paid vacation days beginning at 120 hours annually; 40 paid sick leave hours annually or as provided under state and local paid sick leave laws; tuition assistance; business travel services; employee discounts; employee assistance program with company‑paid counseling and legal services. Eligibility governed by applicable plan documents and policies. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, disability, age, genetic information, or any other factors prohibited by law. #J-18808-Ljbffr